Shrewsbury Town’s Academy are on the lookout for two new coaches to join the management team.
They are searching for a Lead Foundation Phase Coach and a Part-Time Head of Academy Goalkeeping as current incumbents Ben King and Phil Smart move onto pastures new.
King and Smart have been fundamental parts of the coaching set-up in the Academy over recent years and the club are sad to see both men move on.
Ben King has been leading the Foundation Phase (Under 7-11) for the last couple of years and Academy Manager Andy Jones was quick to praise his impact.
“Ever since I started here he has been fantastic for me”, Andy told ShrewsWeb.
“He’s had about 45 different roles and he’s been great, but circumstances are changing in his own personal life which are making him relocate and move to a different area.
“I wish him all the best with that and I will go on record as saying what a great job he’s done, what a great lad he’s been, how well he’s managed his foundation phase and I believe he’s moved that phase on tremendously well since he’s been here.
“On a personal note I’m sad to see him leave, but he’s left a good legacy here and it’s a good opportunity for someone to come in and really move things forward because it’s a great phase to work in, especially for any aspiring coaches out there that want to work in a really good environment.”
Phil Smart is also leaving the club after bringing through the likes of Callum Burton and Shaun Rowley in recent years. Andy Jones was quick to pay tribute to Phil and believes he will be a tough act to follow.
“Unfortunately Phil’s going to be leaving us for similar reasons really, Jones said.
“Phil has got a full-time job and he’s having to travel quite a long way to come here. He loves the club, he’s been a great advocate for this club and as far as a goalkeeping coach goes we aren’t going to get a better goalkeeping coach in the Academy than Phil Smart.
“He’s been absolutely fundamental to me since I’ve come in, but I know he’s been fundamental to the Academy over the last few years.
“You only have to look at the goalkeepers that have come through our Academy and that are in our Academy to see what a good job he has done and he’s going to be a massive loss to us, but I want to say a big thank you too him and he’s going to be very difficult to replace.”
Academy ‘keepers Luke Burton and Jack Atkinson have both represented Wales in recent weeks and with more exiting talent coming through, Andy believes this is a great opportunity for an aspiring goalkeeper coach.
“We’ve got international goalkeepers”, said Andy.
“We’ve got three or four in the Academy that we are really excited about. We’ve got a good programme and a good timetable in place for them to come into.
“As far as reputation goes we always have people saying that we have good goalkeepers generally do have good goalkeepers at the club.
“Maybe it’s the snowball effect, but I genuinely think it’s because of the pull of the club and it’s a great opportunity for someone to come in part-time and work alongside a young and exciting team.”
If you are interested in joining the Academy coaching staff then the job descriptions can be found below:
Lead Foundation Phase Coach
Head of Academy Goalkeeping
To apply for either role please download the application form below and return to Andy.Jones@shrewsburytown.co.uk
STFC Application Form
Closing Date: Sunday 25th June